Video: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Throws Bullpen Session Amid Elbow Injury Rehab

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani appears to be on schedule in his recovery from elbow surgery during the 2023 season that prevented him from pitching last year.

The reigning NL MVP had his first bullpen session of the season during the Dodgers' spring training practice on Saturday.

Ohtani tore the UCL in his right elbow in a start for the Los Angeles Angels against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 23, 2023.

Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed surgery to repair the injury a few weeks later to "reinforce the healthy ligament in place," which suggests it wasn't a Tommy John procedure.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters in March 2024 that Ohtani would begin a throwing program after the team returned to the United States following its series against the San Diego Padres in South Korea.

After Roberts initially left the door open to Ohtani possibly pitching in the postseason by saying there's a "not zero" percent chance it happens, he reversed course leading up to the start of the World Series.

"There is no possibility, none whatsoever," Roberts said prior to Game 1 against the New York Yankees. "Thank you for asking."

Ohtani's offseason program was delayed after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in November to repair a torn labrum suffered on a slide into second base in Game 2 of the Fall Classic.

At the Dodgers fan fest event, Roberts said Ohtani will likely start pitching in MLB games again sometime in May, but the timeline is flexible depending on how his throwing program goes.

"It might be earlier," Roberts said, "but I think that the first thing I said earlier this offseason was it wasn’t going to be in the Japan Series. … Once he gets to Spring Training and we see where the throwing program is, I think we’ll just go from there."

Serving as just a designated hitter last season, Ohtani turned in the best offensive season of his career. The 30-year-old hit .310/.390/.646 with 54 homers, 59 stolen bases and 130 RBI. He became the first player in MLB history with at least 50 homers and 50 steals in a single season.

Ohtani won his third MVP award in the last four seasons and first as a National League player.

Whenever Ohtani does start pitching in MLB games again, he will join a stacked Dodgers rotation that includes Rōki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Tony Gonsolin. Clayton Kershaw will eventually be added to the mix, but he's expected to start the year on the 60-day injured list recovering from offseason knee and toe surgeries.

In his last three seasons as a pitcher from 2021 to '23, Ohtani posted a 2.84 ERA with 542 strikeouts in 428.1 innings over 74 starts.